Boss backs Rashford to find more goals

Marcus Rashford is likely to lead Manchester United’s attack again at West Ham on Sunday, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer backing the England hitman to keep getting better.

The boss is not expecting Anthony Martial to be fit to face the Hammers in London after missing the last three games and another forward, Daniel James, did not train before the FC Astana game and will be assessed tomorrow.

Rashford hasn’t scored from open play since the first match of the season, the Reds' 4-0 rout of Chelsea, with his two goals since then being a penalty in the same game and another spot-kick to win last weekend's fixture against Leicester City.

The 21-year-old came close to scoring at FC Astana's expense in the Europa League but couldn’t quite find the net.

Marcus Rashford is denied a goal by FC Astana keeper Nenad Eric.

“He is getting the chances,” acknowledged Ole, after Thursday night's game at Old Trafford.

“Of course he could have had three [goals against Astana] but the keeper made a few fantastic saves. I don’t worry about that.”

Solskjaer added: “We are working every single day in training with Marcus and he wants to improve and wants to be better.

“He could have finished with his left foot instead of his right [on one occasion]. It was just one of those days. Their keeper was excellent.

“All our goals this season have come from our forwards, from Marcus, Anthony [Martial] and Dan James, so I am sure he [Marcus] will chip in with many, many goals.

“Marcus is still young. He’ll improve. You won’t hit your peak as a striker until 26 or 27. He is still learning what finishes to make in different circumstances.”

Rashford celebrates after netting against Chelsea in the Reds' opening league game.

The manager said Rashford will continue to be rotated around the attacking positions in his XI.

“Today's forwards are different to the old traditional number nines,“ assessed Ole. “There are not many of them left.

“Marcus can play in all three positions, Anthony can. There are four positions in fact - right, left, up front on his own and as a number ten. Mason can [do that] too. None of them are pinpointed to one position. You will see them all rotate around.”

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